Blair will make hunting ban an election pledge

TONY BLAIR has agreed to a U-turn on foxhunting by making a ban a pledge in Labour's election manifesto.

His decision, which was reached last week in private meetings with ministers, marks the abandonment of the Government's insistence that it will be "neutral" on the Bill to ban hunting with dogs.

It comes before a crucial division in the Commons on Wednesday when MPs will choose between three options in the Bill: self-regulation by hunts, licensing hunting and banning it. An overwhelming majority - mainly Labour MPs - is expected to vote for a ban.

Until now, ministers have argued that the Government is not promoting a ban but merely seeking to ensure that Parliament has the time and information to reach a decision. Instead, its full weight will be thrown behind a ban during the election campaign, including a commitment in Labour's manifesto.

The Bill is expected to run out of time when the election is called but would be reintroduced by Labour in the new session.

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The Prime Minister briefed the whips on the new approach at a private meeting in the Commons last Thursday. Mike O'Brien, the Home Office minister responsible for the Bill, has prepared a paper for Downing Street on the practicalities of "moving away from neutrality". A formal announcement will be made after both Houses of Parliament have voted.

The change of policy is partly driven by a strategic decision by Labour to concentrate on shoring up its "core vote" before the election. Many activists and supporters made clear that they were dismayed by the Government's apparently lukewarm support for a ban, fuelling fears of a worryingly low turn-out on election day.

A minister said: "Attempting to be neutral has made us look shifty and equivocal rather than fair-minded, which wins us no friends but puts off our old supporters. This will now become a clear cut issue at the election, which I think will work in our favour."

Labour had hoped that it could steer a middle way between satisfying activists, who mainly favour a ban, and appeasing rural communities. In its last manifesto, it only promised to hold a free vote in the Commons. The next manifesto had been due to give no more than a commitment to ensure that the current Bill would be allowed Government time to be passed.

The idea of neutrality was spelt out in the Commons by Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, when he unveiled the multi-option Bill in July. He said: "The Government remain neutral: their role in presenting a Bill is that of a facilitator, enabling Parliament to reach a conclusion."

Conservatives last night said that Labour was revealing its true colours. David Lidington, the Tory home affairs spokesman, said: "They are dropping the pretence of being neutral, and also the pretence of being willing to listen to the evidence about hunting.

"This will be a very divisive commitment. I suspect that they are not so much worried about their core voters but that they just want another million from the Political Animal Lobby."

At the last election, that group donated £1 million to Labour on the understanding that the party would ban foxhunting. It has threatened to stop funding Labour unless legislation is passed.

In Wednesday's division, Mr Blair will support a ban backed by fines of up to £5,000, if he is present for the vote. This puts him at odds with Mr Straw, who favours making hunting a licensed activity, supervised by a hunting authority that would include landowners, farmers and animal welfare groups.